FSU Seminoles beat Clemson Tigers in ACC opener

CLEMSON, S.C. — Michael Snaer had one of his poorest scoring games this season. There was no mistaking, though, the huge grin he flashed coming off the floor as Florida State opened ACC play with a 71-66 victory over Clemson on Saturday.

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Snaer, a 16-points-a-game scorer, had half that at Littlejohn Coliseum on 2-of-7 shooting. But he was proud of his team's tenacity in holding on after letting most of a 16-point second-half lead slip away.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell called three timeouts in the final seconds to scheme up an inbounds play with the Tigers down 66-63. Clearwater High's Okaro White stepped in front of Rod Hall's pass to steal the ball with 17 seconds left and secure the win for the Seminoles (9-5).

White hit two free throws, the last of his 15 points to lead FSU.

"They couldn't get the ball in­bounds," Snaer said. "When does that ever really happen? A coach takes three timeouts and they still can't get anything good."

FSU led by 16 on Snaer's 3-pointer to start the second half yet was up 66-63 in the final minute with the ball in the Tigers' hands.

Clemson (8-5) got within 69-66 on Milton Jennings' 3 with 4.5 seconds to go before Terrance Shannon iced it for FSU with two free throws.

White, a junior, said it was important to show the younger players — seven freshmen and sophomores — what it takes to compete each game in the ACC.

"I think it shows we're a team to be reckoned with," White said. "We're getting that confidence back in ourselves."